The symptoms of perimenopause can begin ten or fifteen years before menopause begins. There are many symptoms that you could experience during this time. Perimenopause usually begins after the age of 50. Some common symptoms include:

• Shorter or longer periods each month. Some women may also miss a few periods. Since menopause signifies the end of menstrual periods, if you miss a few and then have your period again, chances are, you are experiencing perimenopause.

• Less sex drive. You may experience less of a need to be sexually active. This is due to hormone changes or when sexual intercourse becomes painful. If there is pain, you can use a lubricant to help decrease this pain.

• Mood swings. This can occur at any time during one’s life, but during perimenopause, you may experience mood swings more often.

• Forgetfulness. This can occur as the body begins to produce less estrogen. Taking vitamin B and other vitamins to counteract the loss of estrogen may help.

These are just a few of the many symptoms you may have during perimenopause. Some women do not have many symptoms at all, while others may exhibit all of them. This seems to be genetic. If your mother had symptoms, chances are you will also. Exercise and diet are ways to help you adjust to life changes. Keep living a healthy, active life and these symptoms will not seem so bad. Ask a doctor for advice about vitamin supplements and other advice concerning perimenopause.

For many women, getting a restful sleep when they are going through menopause can be difficult. Night sweats, hot flashes, and anxiety are just a few things that can keep you up at night in addition to all the other things in your life that may be bothering you.

Getting enough sleep is essential when performing your daily activities. Not getting enough sleep can result in:

• Being sluggish throughout the day
• Concentration levels lowered
• Poor diet
• Premature aging

Menopause for many women is not convenient. Many women work full-time, are raising children, and need sleep in order to complete their daily tasks. But nature is not going to stop just because the timing is wrong. There are ways women can help themselves and make the effects of menopause a little easier to take.

Taking a look at your diet is the best way to help ease the symptoms of menopause. Cutting back on spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, especially at nighttime will help. Getting plenty of exercise, even if it is just taking the stairs instead of the elevator, will cause symptoms of menopause to decrease. Not only will a healthy diet and exercise help relieve the symptoms of menopause, diet and exercise will also reduce stress, which will help you get a good night’s sleep.

Wearing layers of clothing that can be taken off will make sleeping more comfortable in case you have a hot flash during the nighttime. The most important thing to remember is that you should try to take care of yourself the best way you can and try to be prepared when the symptoms of menopause occur during the night.